Interview with Patrik Aspers: "Since There Are So Many Theories, We Should Focus on Really Good Empirical Research Instead".
Journal
Economic Sociology
ISSN
1726-3247
ISSN-Digital
1726-3247
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Patrik Aspers is professor of sociology at Uppsala University (Uppsala Universitet). Maya Shmidt conducted this interview in Uppsala, Sweden, in September 2016. Aspers introduces readers to different academic paths by presenting his own experience of becoming a sociologist and comparing the structural and cultural differences between the American, British, and European academic contexts. During the conversation, Aspers discusses the field of economic sociology and highlights opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation. Particularly, he notes that sociology has exported certain ideas to other disciplines, and due to the field's enduring tradition, extensive theoretical literature and ability to distinguish between and combine different research methods, there is no danger of "blurring" within cooperative efforts. Influenced by Harrison White's theory, Aspers develops a typology of different market forms. He argues that markets, when taken apart, do not look the same: they take different forms, and each requires its own construction of theoretical concepts that can account for the variety in the empirical reality. Aspers emphasizes the significance of clarifying and reflecting upon knowledge as elements of pre-study ("vorstudie") when it comes to qualitative research. He develops an empirical phenomenology method and presents it as a step-by-step procedure for conducting qualitative research.(1)
Language
English
Keywords
empirical phenomenology
theorizing in sociology
interdisciplinarity in economic sociology
markets
market forms
stock exchange
markets in fashion
organization studies
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SHSS - Kulturen, Institutionen, Maerkte (KIM)
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
DiVA
Volume
Vol. 17
Number
no 5
Start page
147
End page
158
Pages
12
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
258531